DEC director quits to lead advocates group

Willie Janeway will head the Adirondack Council

Published 10:50 pm, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Photo: FRED LEBRUN

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Times Union Staff Photograph by Fred Lebrun: PineBush Commision executive director Willie Janeway by a trailhead to one of the 20 miles of trail in Albany County's pine bush. The commission adopted a controversial new set of rules and regulations this week stressing increased opportunities for multiple use, from horseback riding to hunting to trapping. The new rules still require the approval of Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner John Cahill, but that is expected. less

Times Union Staff Photograph by Fred Lebrun: PineBush Commision executive director Willie Janeway by a trailhead to one of the 20 miles of trail in Albany County's pine bush. The commission adopted a ... more

Photo: FRED LEBRUN

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Willie Janeway, the new excutive director of the Adirondack Council, with his wife, Mary, during a hike in Canada.

Willie Janeway, the new excutive director of the Adirondack Council, with his wife, Mary, during a hike in Canada.

Willie Janeway, who has headed DEC Region 5 since 2007, will become executive director of the Adirondack Council, the group's board of directors announced Tuesday. The region includes Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties in the southern Catskill Park and lower Hudson Valley.

Janeway, 49, is "an accomplished conservationist with extensive experience in the Adirondack Park. We think he is the perfect person to lead our outstanding team, whose job is to help the Adirondack Park and its communities successfully face a wide range of challenges," said Ann Carmel, council chairwoman.

Janeway will focus on efforts to combat acid rain, climate change, water pollution, the spread of invasive species and sprawling, poorly planned development, she said.

"The challenges we face guarantee that our work, and the efforts of our partners and park stakeholders, will be critically important, as decisions are made that will impact the Adirondacks for generations to come," Janeway said.

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Janeway was part of an influx of environmental advocates hired by the administration of Gov. Eliot Spitzer. He is an Adirondack 46er, having climbed the 46 major High Peaks, and won the Adirondack Life Adirondacker Award for his early work building partnerships and protecting the Adirondacks.

He will assume his council position in May, replacing Acting Executive Director Diane Fish, who will return to her job as deputy director. She was named to the interim post in October, after the resignation of Brian Houseal, who had led the group since 2002.

From 2001 to 2007, he was director of government relations for The Nature Conservancy and was co-chairman of Friends of New York's Environment, coalition of more than 200 environmental, conservation, parks, farming and other community organizations.